December 8, 2013 5:56pm ESTDecember 8, 2013 5:51pm ESTExpansion? Please … the National Hockey League isn't going to add two teams any time soon. So with its Board of Governors meeting this week, talks will focus on an issue more important to the NHL.Gary Bettman(AP Photo)

Staff report

Published on Dec. 8, 2013

Dec. 8, 2013

Expansion? Please … the National Hockey League isn't going to add two teams any time soon. So with its Board of Governors meeting this week, talks will focus on an issue more important to the NHL.

Money.

Primary on the agenda in Pebble Beach, Calif., the league's new Canadian television deal with Rogers SportsNet and setting a salary cap for the 2014-15 season. Talks are set for Monday and Tuesday.

The deal is for $4.9 billion over 12 years and will go into effect with the governors' expected rubber stamp.

Commissioner Gary Bettman isn't about to let this windfall blow away; neither are team executives. With revenue already looking strong, the NHL is banking on more cash.

Chief operating officer John Collins recently made reference to the NHL being a $4 billion business, The Canadian Press reported. Even if that's a number the league hits in the near future, the trend for the salary cap is upward — and fast.

The NHL's alignment seems to fit 32 teams better than 30, but Bettman has said there are no plans for expansion.

"I don't envision right now going through a formal expansion process," he said. "We get expressions of interest all the time. Those are informal conversations that we have, but in terms of a formal bid process, I'm not focused on doing anything like that right now."

After all, the league just got things straightened out with the Phoenix Coyotes and has other problem franchises. Adding two more teams would only dilute the talent pool.

Governors will get the update on the 2014-15 salary cap, which will be a substantial raise from the $64.3 million limit this season. That number is expected to be around $70 million, which means the cap gets to its pre-lockout level in the second full season after the work stoppage.